I am enjoying my old age — Retired teacher, 81

A retired teaching supervisor, 81-year-old Bridget Ejezie, tells ARUKAINO UMUKORO about her experience as a teacher

Where and when were you born?

I was born on November 4, 1935, in Ihalia, Anambra State. My parents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Pius Onochukwu. My mother was a seamstress and my father was a trader. The circumstances surrounding my birth was an interesting one. My mother went into labour while she was sewing in the market. So, she carried her sewing machine on her head and was walking home. When she got to a particular place, she couldn’t bear the pain anymore. She then called someone to look after her sewing machine while she went into the bush to give birth to me. She came back home from the market with her new-born, which happened to be me. That was why I was named Uzoanya, which means someone that was given birth to on the way to the market. I would say it was a miracle birth and my luck started at birth.

How was growing up for you?

My parents ensured we had a formal education because they never had one. I would say I am blessed because I went to primary school and teacher training college, which was what was attainable at the time. My illiterate parents were anxious to send me to school. All my children are graduates because my husband and I had great regard for girl education. Girl education adds great value to the nation. A woman should be able to help her husband and family financially and getting an education will empower her to do this.

What schools did you attend?

I attended the Holy Rosary Primary School, Ihalia; and then Teacher Training College, Enugu, between 1951 and 1955. When I later got married, I went for a diploma programme in Primary School Supervision at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

When did you start teaching professionally?

I started my teaching experience at Immaculata Convent Primary School, Onitsha, where I taught for a year. During that time, it wasn’t common for girls to go to school. So, the Benue State government built a big boarding school for girls, called Holy Rosary Collage, Adoka, which also had teachers’ quarters. We started with three classes for girls. My former teacher at HRC came to the south and recruited three of us. I was there in Benue State for three years. The state government paid us double salary when compared to other schools in other states. I can’t recall all the names of the other schools I taught in. But I taught for 35 years and retired as a primary school supervisor in a group of local government primary schools in Jos in January 1991.

How would you describe your 35-year teaching experience?

There were ups and downs, but it was nice and exciting. God was always with me. I am happy that I didn’t lose any child at birth. I encourage women to take teaching appointments because as a teacher, you have more time than when you are doing a core civil service job. Also, one can take good care of one’s family and still be involved in doing other businesses at weekends. Also, the whole three-month holidays in the year are all yours. I was involved in trading as a teacher. I got married in 1960.

How did you meet your husband?

We met in Benue. Then he used to come regularly to the school where I was teaching in the state. From there, our friendship blossomed into marriage. We were from the same town. We were married for 27 years, from 1960 till 1987, when he died. My husband was caring, he loved me a lot. He once gave me a Volkswagen car, when it was in vogue, as a Christmas present.

What are the secrets of a good marriage?

Respect between couples is important. They must truly love each other. The wife has to obey the husband and take his advice. The man should be interested in helping the woman fulfil her dreams. The woman should also support the man’s dreams. The woman is under the husband, but the men must show they value their women highly. It is a disgrace for men to beat their wives. It is bad. Whenever I and my husband quarrelled, we settled it quickly. He never raised his hands against me.

How do you feel at 81?

I feel very happy because none of my family members, including my husband, reached that age. I am the eldest. My husband died at the age of 59. He worked in the railways and was posted to work in different parts of Nigeria.

What are you fulfilled about at your age?

I would say good health and I am blessed with eight children. They have been taking good care of me in my old age. I have been going to spend holidays with them in their different homes in different states. I have been flying around. My children have been taking me for medical check-up and the doctor said I am doing fine. I can even donate blood at my age. I am enjoying my old age.

Do you want to live as long as 100?

I don’t mind. But that is for God to decide.

Do you have any regret?

Not at all, except that I lost one of my sons about two years ago. It was the reason why I did not celebrate my eightieth birthday. May his soul rest in peace.

What is your favourite food and drink?

I like jollof rice, as well as egusi soup. I take plenty of water because it is good for the body.

At your age, do you still exercise?

I walk around the house and make use of the staircase.

What kind of music do you like?

I like traditional highlife music like that of the late Oliver De Coque. I also like dancing and watching local television dramas.

Where were you during the civil war?

My husband and I were based in Minna, Niger State, when the war broke out. I had a terrible experience then. I was delivered of a baby during the civil war, and because I was Igbo, the indigene nurses in the hospital did not take care of me during my delivery. Luckily for us, the reverend father there, had a car, and when my child was eight days old, we had to leave the place for somewhere else. I know many people who died. I remember my husband had come back home from the office with the railway khaki uniform and he sent us, my children and I, back to the East. We left on a train.

What would you tell people who support violence and the division of the country?

I would tell them that living in peace and unity is the best. War is a bitter experience. No one should pray for such to happen in the country again.

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The problems come from the top, not the bottom. With the level of crime in Nigeria officers aren’t even given the benefit of protective vests. Police officers are expected to fight terrorism when even the military can’t get the job done with effectiveness.

Nigerian police officers have little resources, or leadership. The IG knows about the serious lawlessness of the police in many parts of the country, but has done almost nothing to address the problems. It’s astonishing and insulting that a federal police force can have a reputation for murdering and abusing civilians, but the FG doesn’t get involved, or at the very least, show that they are concerned about the problem.

Law makers and officials turn their heads to the corruption that goes on in what is seemingly institutionalized crime. Officials in most democracies around the world would be outraged and demand an overhaul of the police force. What is it that the FG thinks should be allowed to happen to their constituents without interaction: everything that is happening already, and more?

Dre Peters

Oh yes, you made some points and they stood out. The next problem now is that police will start shooting at those filming them and claim otherwise.

Status Quo

Has the IG suddenly forgotten the police principle (aphorism) in sharing bribe? “who no dey no dey; who dey but he no see, no dey; and who dey, he see but no understand say the sharing de go on, no dey”. Once you are brought up from this culture of bribe taking, it is difficult to wean. IG needs a comprehensive overhaul of the Police!

Aderemi Taiwo

Bribery is synonymous with Police across Africa especially but quiet exceptional in Nigeria.and may be It will take a strong mind to sanitize Nigerian Police. The ills bedeviling that outfit is enormous requiring more than miracle to heal. Too many terrible things are happening in our police stations that Nigerians will not like to wash such dirty linen in the public. Police here must be transformed at least at the level of what obtains in Ghana ans South Africa

Gangan

Thanks for the thought provoking article. You are spot on-as much as what the policeman did is deplorable he is a mirror of the larger society with Mr President himself at the very top followed by Minister Odua and others not yet caught